Capital One downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells FargoWells Fargo downgraded Capital One to Market Perform citing a more cautious outlook following the bank's "meaningful credit-driven miss" in Q2. Wells believes the guidance suggests only modest improvement in operating leverage is likely through 2016. It cut its price target range for shares to $94-$96 fro $96-$98.

Earnings Watch: American Express reports after several 'top pick' mentions American Express (AXP) is expected to report second quarter earnings after the close on July 22, with a conference call scheduled for 5:00 pm ET. American Express is a global financial services company specializing in credit card and pre-paid card products and services. EXPECTATIONS: Analysts are looking for earnings per share of $1.32 on revenue of $8.46B. The consensus range is $1.23-$1.41 for EPS and $8.29B-$9.01B for revenue, according to First Call. LAST QUARTER: On April 16, American Express reported first quarter EPS of $1.48 against expectations for $1.37, and revenue of $7.95B versus estimates of $8.21B. The company reported ROE of 29% and guided towards flat to modestly down FY15 EPS as it ramps investments to offset the March 2016 expiration of its Costco (COST) partnership. NEWS: On May 12, American Express authorized the repurchase of up to 150M company shares while also raising its dividend 12% to 29c per share. During the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28, company executives remarked that a "range" of co-brand deals would be coming up for American Express, adding that the loss of the Costco contract was not the "be-all, end-all" for the company. On June 17, Reuters reported that a U.S. appeals court affirmed a prior ruling that American Express can no longer block businesses from steering customers towards competitor cards, such as those of Visa (V) or Mastercard (MA). STREET RESEARCH: On April 27, Nomura downgraded American Express to Neutral from Buy, citing minimal upside to 2015 and 2016 estimates amid a lack of near-term catalysts. Meanwhile, Bernstein upgraded the stock to Outperform from Market Perform on May 6. On May 18, Deutsche Bank reiterated a Buy rating and $90 price target on American Express shares, saying it sees a $750M-$850M annual revenue opportunity through the "Plenti" loyalty program coalition. On June 2, Bernstein said it expects credit card volumes to grow 10%-12% annually over the next five years, adding that American Express, Capital One (COF) and Synchrony Financial (SYF) are its favorites in the sector. Following meetings with American Express executives, Citi called American's risk/reward ratio "attractive" on June 4, and on July 8, Deutsche Bank said it was positive on credit card stocks going into second quarter earnings, with American Express named a top pick. PRICE ACTION: Shares of American Express are near flat to $78.96 ahead of Wednesday's earnings report.